Stacey Bernstein: 40 Under 40 2015

When it comes to communications specialties, Stacey Bernstein might have carved out the smartest one yet: digital health. Four years ago, she developed a digital health solution for one of her clients that evolved into the creation of Weber Shandwick’s digital health practice. Now it comprises 25 digital health specialists working on global campaigns for more than a dozen large clients. It’s also one of the firm’s fastest-growing practices.

Bernstein’s PR career began at Edelman, where, as a member of the US Health Alliances team, she quickly established herself as an integral part of the healthcare practice, managing multiple client accounts with revenues totaling upward of $5 million.

Merging digital and social and the complicated regulatory environment of the pharmaceutical world, she counsels clients on this convergence, helping them develop best practices, strategies, and tactics that resonate. She does so with an expertise that inspires confidence in clients.

Bernstein spearheaded a global survey of senior pharmaceutical executives on social media that led to a pharma road map for digital that gained an endorsement from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations.

"Stacey and the Weber team really get the power of digital to transform and influence," says Jeordan Legon, head of digital and social media for Novartis. "With programs such as NovartisPharmaceuticals.com and Living LikeYou.com, we’ve been able to ramp up the use of social media, reaching more of our key audiences and showing our leadership what’s possible in this space."

Recognized as an expert in her field, Bernstein’s skills are sought after internally and externally. She manages Weber’s global digital health training program across its 126 offices and speaks at industry events including South by Southwest, Cannes Lions Health Festival, and the Hong Kong Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry.

"Highly respected by both her clients and teams across the network, Stacey pushes the boundaries to deliver creative solutions within a highly regulated industry," says a colleague at Weber. "Her vision and ability to anticipate her clients’ needs make her one of the firm’s most highly recommended account leads and partners."

- Fluent in Spanish, Bernstein spent six months in a remote Nicaraguan village with the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children

- The passionate traveler once sailed more than 500 miles from the Virgin Islands to just off the coast of South America

- She’s racked up many awards, including a Healthcare CLIO, a Digi Award for the Best Digital Campaign, and a Stevie for the Marketing Campaign of the Year in Healthcare